John Kirke

John Kirke

President | CCIG

Steve and The Spencer James Group are exceptional, value-creating business partners in the world of employee benefits consulting and brokerage talent acquisition. Steve helped our Employee Benefits division recruit and land incredible, top-tier client-facing talent that accelerated a critical market for our team. Steve invested in our business, deeply knew our culture and was our first call for talent needs.

Chris Wirth

Chris Wirth

National Director | Nelligan Associates

Steve and Spencer James has been a great partner of ours as we continue to grow. They've helped us expand our national footprint into new markets much quicker than we could have done on our own. Steve and his team know all the players in the employee benefits industry and are very well respected. I'd recommend Spencer James for any recruiting needs you have!

Tom Costello

Vice-President of Stop Loss Sales | Symetra Life Insurance Company

Steve Faulkner helped us with a search last year that resulted in us hiring a great Stop Loss sales professional in Ryan Valek. Ryan has exceeded our expectations from both a production and cultural fit standpoint.

Sam Melamed

Sam Melamed

CEO | ABC Insurance Trust

Steve has recruited several insurance leaders for us and always does a great job. He knows the insurance marketplace really well and has a very strong process of recruiting and refining high quality candidates. I highly recommend Steve for anyone looking to recruit high-quality insurance talent.

Ron Altbaum

Ron Altbaum

Regional Manager | Principal Financial Group

I’ve worked with the Spencer James Group for over three years and their ability to pre-screen and deliver top-notch candidates is unrivaled. They bring integrity and a long-term approach so often ignored in the industry. The candidates they have brought us have exceeded our expectations without surprises. The Spencer James Group not only has the candidates – they ensure the right fit.

Craig Harrell

Craig Harrell

Security Consultant | Safe Systems

Though I have never had the pleasure of using Steve as my recruiter, I have had the pleasure of doing business with him as my client. He is a man of integrity with an uncanny knack of making things happen.

John O'Dea

John O'Dea

Financial Advisor | Summit Financial Group

I have worked with Steve for several years to stay in touch with changes in the benefits landscape. Steve has been able to find for me excellent new job opportunities as well as coaching regarding future next steps. I would recommend Steve to anyone interested in staying in tune with new roles and opportunities within the benefits community.

Joe Kremer

Joe Kremer

Senior Sales Representative | CIGNA

As a group sales rep exploring new opportunities Steve's advice and help was first class. For group reps who find themselves in a similar position as a job candidate know that you can TRUST Steve and that he will advise you on what is best for YOUR career.

Tom Zendarski

Tom Zendarski

Regional Manager | Rogers Benefit Group

Steve is the consumate professional: deep knowledge of our industry, strong relationships with key leaders, and an ability to bring value to all parties involved in the hiring process. Steve is the gold standard for recruiters.

Greg Russo

Strategic Client Manager

Steve has an amazing ability to not only recognize talent, but to bring out the best in those he works with. In just a few short days of working with Steve I developed a deep level of trust that he would always represent me to the fullest. In a marketplace overloaded with people with knowledge and expertise, Steve stands apart as someone who operates with integrity and honesty. If you have the chance to enter into a business partnership with the Spencer James Group take it and RUN. You will not be dissapointed.

David Schneeweis

David Schneeweis

Regional Sales Vice President - Western US | Symetra

Steve is masterful at building professional and lasting relationships. He is insightful in his business and is quite intuitive about people. Steve's communication skills and strong business acumen have, and will continue, to serve him well in his field of specialty as an Executive Recruiter. He is a real pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Steve and Spencer James Group to any firm or candidate looking to enhance productivity and results.

Betsy Nakamura

Betsy Nakamura

District Sales Manager | WellWorks Employee Benefits

Steve is a positive straight-shooter who knows the insurance hiring market inside out and backwards. He reached out to me as a recruiter in the late Spring of 2015. Right from the start, I found Steve to be responsive, resourceful, effective, personable, caring and honest. His far reaching network in the insurance industry is impressive, and he has a knack for seeing what could be a good employer/employee match. For example, he persuaded me to interview with a company that I initially wanted to pass on, and throughout that process, I was surprised to discover that I could see myself working at that company, and that it would have been a good fit. When I later choose to turn down that company's offer for an out-of-industry offer I received at the referral of a personal friend, while honest that he was bummed out, Steve was positive, supportive, encouraging, and confirming that I made the best choice for me. I'm sure that a corporate recruiter has many hats to wear and many different parties to keep happy....but Steve made me feel like he really had my best interests at heart. Thank you, Steve. It was truly a pleasure working with you!

Paul Champi

Paul Champi

Author

Steve is a highly industry knowledgeable and sophisticated search professional with a comprehensive national database of employee benefits and financial service candidates. He is a "student of the business" who always stays abreast of industry organizational, regulatory, compliance and M&A developments. Steve is also very "wired" into the U.S. group insurance carrier marketplace ranging from the largest group carriers to the employee benefits brokers and consultants. He daily stays in touch with the industry’s sales and service candidates. Steve has developed an excellent national network so he can provide a good candidate pool leading to successfully completing his search assignments. He is also able to "take the pulse of the marketplace" in terms of how individual carriers are faring and what it takes to be a competitive employer to attract and retain top talent. This feedback to his clients in invaluable so compensation and benefits can be more “fine-tuned” to maintain a market-competitive talent acquisition strategy.

Mitch Michener

Mitch Michener

Partner | Kennedy, Michener Benefits, LLC

Steve and the Spencer James group are outstanding! I have had the opportunity to use his services a couple of time over the past few years when I needed to hire an Account Manager. My consulting firm is on the smaller size, so the the time savings are awesome! His screening and review process was able to present to me just the right candidate! I did not need to sort through a bunch of resumes, web services, missed appointments, etc. when using Steve's company. Additionally, he is able to ask questions of the candidates that I might not have been able to. For anyone considering utilizing a candidate search firm for their next insurance industry hire- you can't go wrong with Steve and The Spencer James Group.

Emily Carr

Emily Carr

Regional Sales Executive | Symetra

Steve is everything a recruiter should be; responsive without being pushy, knowledgeable without being condescending, funny and professional. I let him talk me into an interview and 4 months into my new position, I am so glad I did. I'm so grateful to Steve for believing in me as a candidate and counseling me as a person. Highly recommended!

Joe Cofrancesco

Joe Cofrancesco

Senior Sales Rep | CIGNA

Steve is the best recruiter I have worked with in my career. Knowledge, preparation and guidance are unparalleled. I highly recommend you talk to Steve if you are looking for a change.

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